Around this time in August I tend to get what I call "Autumn Anticipation". It’s that feeling when you start thinking about the upcoming school year and feel a mix of excitement, nerves, and cravings for Target teaching specials.
With that being said, I’ve been thinking about this upcoming school year and trying to remember things I did last year (my first year) that made the year successful. Hopefully this list can give you some peace of mind as you get ready for a new school year.
1. Make time for yourself.
It’s so easy to be consumed by teaching, but remember that there is more to your identity besides just being a teacher. Make time to have fun and leave the grading at home! Take care of yourself so you can care for others. This also means to eat well, sleep well, and shake off the small stuff.
2. Just put it down.
Some days you just have to leave that stack of work at school. Just put it down and leave, it’ll be there in the morning.
3. Get to know your students.
This tip is so important. The kids can tell if you're being genuine or not. Know your kids - their needs, their joys, and their stories.
4. Talk to your students with respect if you want them to do the same.
Like Tip 3, if you want the kids to listen to you then you need to listen to them. Treat the students the same way you’d want them to treat you.
5. Reread parent emails.
Nothing makes you want to face palm more than when you see a typo in an email you sent. Reread, reread, reread!
6. Contact families frequently!
One of the best things I did all year was compile all my parent emails into one parent email group. Then, every Friday, I would send out a quick email to all my parents. I got back a lot of positive feedback and it only took about 10 minutes!
7. Don’t check your school email on weekends.
8. Share the planning and photocopying process with a team member.
If you and a colleague are teaching the same thing, then you should share the planning and photocopying process. It cuts your planning time in half!
9. Don’t gossip.
10. Dress professionally.
If you’re looking for affordable teaching clothes, I highly recommend H&M or TJ Maxx!
11. Be consistent with your behavior management.
This tip is so important. If you are not consistent with your expectations and consequences then you will lose your leverage in the classroom.
12. Make friends with the teachers in your building!
13. It’s okay to say “no”.
If you’re worn out from a rough day and don’t want to go out to dinner with the girls, then cancel. If you feel too drained to do things both days on the weekend, then don’t. If you don’t feel like you can tackle taking on that extracurricular activity or sport then don’t. You can’t be a good resource to others if you don’t pause to refuel yourself.
14. Find at least one close friend in your school.
Find at least one person in your building who you can relate to and chill with after a long day. They will be your lifeline this year.
15. Don’t cry in front of the kids.
There will be days when you just want to put your head down on your desk and cry. That’s okay, but it’s not okay to do so in front of the kids. Distract yourself, drink some water, chew some gum - whatever it takes, just keep it together until the kids leave.
16. Know your bathroom breaks.
Until your teacher bladder fully develops, it’s best to moderate how much water and coffee you drink during the day. In my opinion, not being able to pee freely is one of the hardest things about being a teacher.
17. Clean your desk nightly.
18. Keep cough drops in your desk.
19. Use your teacher discount at stores!
20. Teachers Pay Teachers will be your saving grace.
21. Print papers off ahead of time.
Any teacher can tell you that the copier will be down when you need it the most. Print things off ahead of time.
22. Keep something energizing in your desk (candy, kcups, etc.)
23. Pay attention to what’s going on in politics.
Your school’s teachers’ union should be able to provide you with some information about any political events you can attend nearby.
24. Observations are not the end of the world.
There will be amazing observations and terrible observations. It will all balance out. Just teach.
25. Enjoy every moment!
You have the best job in the world. Even on hard days it is always worth it. Keep pressing on. You've got this!
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